Thriving Stylist Podcast - Episode #370: "How to Shift Your Clients to Other Stylists as a Salon Owner"
Host: Britt Seva
Release Date: January 27, 2025
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Introduction: Embracing Leadership in the Salon Industry
In Episode #370 of the Thriving Stylist Podcast, host Britt Seva delves into a pivotal transition for salon owners: shifting clients to other stylists to focus on leadership and business growth. Recognizing the emotional and strategic complexities of this shift, Britt provides a comprehensive roadmap for salon owners aiming to elevate their businesses beyond mere hairstyling skills.
Understanding the Emotional Landscape
Britt begins by addressing the emotional challenges salon owners face when contemplating stepping away from client-facing roles. Drawing from her recent interactions on Instagram, she highlights common concerns such as creating a three to five-year plan for transitioning from stylist to leader and redefining time spent within the salon.
Britt Seva [00:51]: "Why would someone consider this, and what are the fears around it? There are obvious fears and subliminal ones that no one's talking about."
The Strategic Need to Transition
Britt emphasizes that today's most profitable salon leaders typically do not take clients themselves. She contrasts high-revenue salons with slim profit margins against those with robust profit margins where owners have delegated client responsibilities.
Britt Seva [02:30]: "A salon that does $3 million a year in revenue and operates at a 1% profit margin is not overly impressive versus a salon that does maybe $1.3 million at a 15% margin."
By stepping away from direct client work, salon owners can focus on team development, business strategy, and increasing profitability—a move that reduces burnout and enhances salon sustainability.
Overcoming Common Fears
Britt addresses several fears associated with transitioning away from taking clients:
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Loss of Legitimacy: Salon owners worry that not taking clients might diminish their standing among their team. Britt counters this by explaining that dedicated leadership actually enhances legitimacy.
Britt Seva [10:15]: "Those who dive into leadership not only don't lose legitimacy, they gain it because they have a proven track record."
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Disconnect with the Team: There's a fear of losing touch with stylists. Britt reassures that owners can remain involved through mentorship and support without being the primary service provider.
Britt Seva [13:45]: "You should still be mentoring, teaching classes, and guiding your team—even if you're not taking clients yourself."
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Dependence on Personal Revenue: For owners heavily reliant on their own client revenue (keyman risk), shifting away can feel daunting. Britt emphasizes building a diverse and profitable team structure to mitigate this risk.
Creating a Viable Team and Marketing Strategy
A successful transition hinges on having a robust team and a solid marketing strategy. Britt outlines the essential components:
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Viable Team Composition: Teams should include semi-senior stylists with strong client bases and newer members to ensure diversity and resilience.
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Marketing Repositioning: Shift focus from the owner as the main attraction to highlighting the entire team. This involves promoting stylists on social media and ensuring the salon's brand message centers around team success.
Britt Seva [18:25]: "If your salon leader is the first bio on your website, you're positioning yourself as the star. Instead, promote your team as the stars."
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Financial Repositioning: Adjust booth rental rates and commission structures to treat each chair as a profit center. Aim for 80% break-even and 40% high-profit margin chairs to ensure overall profitability and sustainability.
Implementing an 18-Month Transition Plan
Britt presents an 18-month actionable plan for salon owners ready to make the shift:
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Marketing Repositioning (Months 1-6):
- Promote team members as the primary service providers.
- Enhance social media strategies to showcase stylists and salon culture.
- Focus on building a strong brand message and guest experience.
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Financial Repositioning (Months 7-12):
- Revise booth rental and commission structures.
- Implement price increases strategically while preparing to reduce client bookings.
- Gradually wind down personal client services, transferring clients to other team members.
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Clientele Repositioning (Months 13-18):
- Personally introduce clients to new stylists to ensure smooth transitions.
- Maintain transparency by communicating the shift in services.
- Prepare for potential short-term revenue adjustments while focusing on long-term profitability.
Britt Seva [25:40]: "In 18 months, if you're taking three or four days a week as a client-facing owner, you could successfully step away entirely."
Enhancing Leadership and Team Development
Post-transition, owners should invest their newfound time into:
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Continuous Learning: Engage in ongoing education about leadership, marketing, and business management to stay ahead in the industry.
Britt Seva [27:00]: "Leadership is a life's work, and the work is never done."
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Training and Feedback: Foster a culture of continuous improvement by providing regular training and constructive feedback without resorting to micromanagement.
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Networking and Community Building: Connect with other salon owners who have undergone similar transitions to gain insights and support.
Conclusion: Preparing for a Thriving Future
Britt concludes by emphasizing that this episode is tailored for successful, scaling salon owners ready to embrace full-time leadership. She encourages listeners to explore other podcast episodes for additional guidance on building a profitable, sustainable salon business.
Britt Seva [29:59]: "If you're thinking about shifting your clients to other stylists, really work on overcoming those fears first."
With practical strategies and motivational insights, this episode serves as a valuable guide for salon owners aspiring to create a wealthy and thriving life as a leader in the beauty industry.
Key Takeaways:
- Transitioning away from taking clients allows salon owners to focus on leadership and business growth.
- Overcoming fears related to legitimacy, team connection, and financial dependence is crucial.
- Building a strong, diverse team and implementing strategic marketing are foundational to a successful transition.
- An 18-month plan provides a structured approach to shift responsibilities and enhance profitability.
- Continuous learning and effective team management are essential for sustained success.
Notable Quotes:
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Britt Seva [00:19]: "Cutting and coloring skills will only get you so far, but to build a lifelong career as a wealthy stylist, it takes business skills and a serious marketing strategy."
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Britt Seva [10:15]: "Those who dive into leadership not only don't lose legitimacy, they gain it because they have a proven track record."
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Britt Seva [18:25]: "If your salon leader is the first bio on your website, you're positioning yourself as the star. Instead, promote your team as the stars."
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Britt Seva [25:40]: "In 18 months, if you're taking three or four days a week as a client-facing owner, you could successfully step away entirely."
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Britt Seva [27:00]: "Leadership is a life's work, and the work is never done."
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Britt Seva [29:59]: "If you're thinking about shifting your clients to other stylists, really work on overcoming those fears first."
Additional Resources:
Britt encourages listeners to explore other episodes of the Thriving Stylist Podcast for topics such as compensation strategies, booth rental models, and client growth techniques. By leveraging the wealth of information available, salon owners can implement comprehensive strategies to ensure their businesses not only survive but thrive in the competitive beauty industry.
Connect with Britt Seva:
- Website: www.brittseva.com
- Instagram: @brittseva
- Podcast: Available on all major platforms
Happy Business Building and Thank You for Listening!